Rice is pretty fluid mover in coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the flats. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. Durable and reliable. Jones was the second-highest-graded linebacker in the ACC last season with a 75.6 mark. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. This joker for the Notre Dame defense plays the ROVER spot primarily, where he can cover slot receivers one-on-one and shows no discomfort playing in space, plus he looks like a cannonball when coming on blitzes off the edge. Moses was supposed to head the Alabama defense in 2019 after a lot departures in the front-seven, but with him missing the entire season, that entire unit suffered and did not live up to their usual standards. Here are the top 10 linebackers returning to college football next season. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. More than likely projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at the next level on the defensive side of the ball. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. One of the more promising inside backer prospects to come out of the Sunshine State in recent years given how he moves and plays in the box. Flowe is the second-highest-rated recruit in Oregon history, behind only. Who in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Noah Sewells game to? Hes PFFs No. Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me. He tended to overshadow Kendricks (6-0, 230) a little, but the senior has led the team in tackles the past two seasons and is the leader of the defense no matter what the situation is. Between 2020 and 21, he combined for 134 total tackles, 13.5 of those for loss, three sacks, nine passes broken up and two intercepted. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Take a conference-by-conference look at college football's best linebacker tandems. The juniors four interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and he tied for second in the Power Five with two fumble recoveries. Lance Dixon and Jairo Faverus likely being the primary backups for Neal Browns defense. Vast pursuit range. On the spring roster, Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds. More than capable of making a difference outside of the hashes given his initial burst and will exert plenty of energy over the course of four quarters. However, while I like the patience he displays in reading run schemes, he is a little too conversative for my taste and when big linemen work up to him, he struggles to disengage. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. Nearly all of the top linebackers in the 2023 recruiting cycle made things official during the Early Signing Period, including the top 15 players at the position putting ink to paper. Working on anchoring against run important. Njongmeta is the highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker, earning an 89.9 mark this past season. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Today it is the best pair of linebackers. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. He can line up at defensive end with his hand in the dirt or play stood up over the tackle. Hes ready to go on the outside, and leading tackler Noah Sewell can do it all in the middle. couldnt make you understand even if i tried to explain.. Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. Hes light on his feet to mirror the ball and navigate around blockers, but can also flatten and cut off angles as running backs commit to a gap. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. Trenton Simpson: 88.3 pass rush grade last season, No other ACC LB had a grade higher than 80???? The redshirt junior is a dominant run-stuffer, as his 49 run-defense stops in 2022 ranked second among all linebackers in the country while his 20 tackles for loss/no-gain were tied for third. Leading the Hawkeyes is. Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season. ???? 21. Last time a Big Ten linebacker duo was selected in the same draft: It happened in May, when Iowa had Christian Kirksey (third round) and Anthony Hitchens (fourth round) drafted. The Ole Miss outside linebacker is built differently from other players on this list. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. Northwestern: Chi Chi Ariguzo and Collin Ellis. Also posted a 45-6 shot put PR during junior track and field season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22. High-level athlete also plays receiver. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark. 15, the same number he wore at Nebraska. Honorable mention goes out to Willie Lanier, Jim Lynch, Brian Bosworth, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Brooks, Derrick Thomas, Maxie Baughan, Ray Lewis, George Mira, Jr., Batman Richard Wood, Judge Jeff Davis, Killer Steve Kiner, Jeff Siemon, Rick Redmon, Tim Rossovich, Frank Emanuel, Jerry Robinson, and Chris Spielman. Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season. Neither is the most talented linebacker in the league, but as a duo, no returning SEC pair was more productive last year than this one. Has burst to get across the face of offensive tackle. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. Flashes above average patience and vision at the line of scrimmage, showing the ability to hit the hole quickly. UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. In the passing game, he can carry slot receivers down the hashes, blitz off the slot, spy the quarterback and pretty much anything you ask of him, because of how loose he is in space. One of the biggest risers from this 2020 season has been this 64, 260 pound-listed linebacker that is the heart of a Hurricanes 21st-ranked scoring defense. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Texas is ranked behind Alabama and Georgia for the best recruiting class in the 247Sports rankings. He posted 80.0-plus grades both in coverage and as a pass-rusher last season, one of only four to do so in the country. Strong tackler in space. Has some stack-and-shed ability but needs to continue to develop it. Plays with leverage and bends well in lower body. The transfer linebacker has three years of eligibility remaining and will compete with some talented players like Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Nikhai Hill-Green and Jimmy Rolder for playing time next season. Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. , who looked solid as a reserve in 2021 with a 75.0 grade on 150 snaps. Size at one point was a bit of a concern, but lived in the weight room winter after junior season and bulked up significantly in the upper half. The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. Also well-rounded basketball player. Highly productive considering full-time two-way snaps. Ran for more than 1,000 yards on almost 10 yards per carry while recording 91 tackles as a junior. This is a collegefootball playerranking of the best linebackers since 1958. linebackers heading into next season. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. With that being said, he needs to play with more extension working against blockers in the run game and there are question about this athleticism as to how it projects to the next level, as weve rarely seen him get tasked with man-coverage duty. Iowa Hawkeyes. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. A meniscus injury ended his freshman campaign after just five snaps. The Florida transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. Hausmann was ranked No. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Lynch and Gabe Martin). Browns 75.6 coverage grade over the past two seasons is a top-25 mark among Power Five linebackers. 2 linebacker in both. Clemsons Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: The sophomore leads this list and is living up to his father, a former All-Pro LSUs Harold Perkins Jr.: The true freshman is second on Tone-setter for an FBS-loaded Texas 5A D-I state championship defense as a sophomore and perennially highly-ranked program over final two high school seasons. Excellent in chase mode as he can get outside the hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes. Hes a physical kid and was one of the a, reas top running backs last season as well, but we think his upside is highest on the defensive side of the ball., A plus athlete for the linebacker position. Your login session has expired. The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008, 11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 10)Randy Gradishar: Ohio State 1971-'73, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 9)Mike Singletary: Baylor 1977-'80, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 8) Dennis Onkotz: Penn State 1967-'69, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 7) Wilber Marshall: Florida 1980-'83, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 6) George Webster: Mich. State 1964-'66, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 5) Jack Ham: Penn State 1968-'70, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 4) Lawrence Taylor: UNC 1977-'80, ACC MVP in 1980, 3) Leroy Jordan: Alabama 1960-'62, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 2) Dick Butkus: Illinois, 1962-'64, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame, 1) Tommy Nobis: Texas, 1963-'65, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame. Watching for Jermaine Johnson (Florida State EDGE 11) but this rep from Amari Gainer (LB 33) caught my eye to start the game vs Clemson. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. In fact, over the past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson is Dean. We have not seen him asked to drop back and cover as much so that is a part of his game that needs to be furthered evaluated although he looks like a good enough athlete to do that.. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. 16. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. Oklahoma: Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander. Now a month into the 2022 college football season, I decided it was time to rank the five best players for each position at this very moment. Sun Belt: Texas State (David Mayo and Michael Orakpo). Featured primarily as a stand-up edge player early on in his prep career, which in turn taught him how to win with a chop or a simple dip of the shoulder. Naturally low center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any, motion. The redshirt junior is a menace when coming downhill, as he was the only Power Five linebacker who earned 85-plus grades as both a pass-rusher and run-defender. The No. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports. Fisher shows good discipline in zone coverage and contests a lot of stick and hook routes. The Rebels pulled in one of the more underrated transfers this offseason in Central Michigans Troy Brown, the sixth-best linebacker in the country according to PFFs preseason rankings. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. Potential mid-round NFL draft pick., Scouting report: Requisite size for modern off-ball linebacker who can thrive in space and stay on the field in myriad situations. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. He ranked second among all linebackers in the country with 18 quarterback knockdowns (sacks/hits) and was tied for second in the country with four forced fumbles. Isaiah Moore was a top-10-graded linebacker in the conference last year, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in the ACC. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the The linebacker will be the frame of reference when preparing the NFL upside in an era where so many teams want to air it out., Scouting report: Unverified at 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds, appears to possess an athletic frame with growth potential to add additional weight to his frame. He was already a stud as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection in his second season, but I also love what he offers the NFL. Excellent in chase mode as he can get outside the hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. At 64 and 265 pounds, Williams is an absolute unit. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. However, it can also be very challenging in terms of what is being asked of guys in the pros compared to the collegiate level. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. Excellent closing ability on defense. Now back with him in the lineup, they have really grown this season. There is big-time buzz about Ohio State's C.J. He is one of those guys who shows up around the ball constantly and thats how he came up with a huge fumble return TD against Clemson earlier this season, as a pitch went off the hands of Travis Etienne. Could see the field relatively early given how physically developed he already is in both the upper and lower halves., Scouting report: A tackling machine with the mentality of an alpha. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in. Typically All Conference or minimum 1 Year Varsity Starter. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. Comfortable in space and owns valuable experience in both man and zone coverage, two things that he has further refined on the 7v7 circuit. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. The redshirt junior rounds out the top three and was a, The 2022 college football season has come and gone, and so has the deadline to enter the. Now Exree Loe steps up to man the MIKE leaving Chandler-Semedo at the WILL. Georgia just had five defensive players taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but is the best NFL prospect of all still in Athens? Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton rounds out the unit after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. Gambling problem? Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. 3. Has doubled as a running back for his high school, and has found success on that side of the ball. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. Oklahoma signed two top 10 linebackers, including Samuel Omosigho. Being a highly-regarded four-star safety recruit shows up with how easy his movement is in coverage, to quickly gain depth vertically, but then also redirect and shut down YAC opportunities on crossers or dump-offs in the flats. Functional athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball. Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. , whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. Samson Ebukam was the San Francisco 49ers' Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. Two-way experience provides another key indicator for future NFL Draft potential relative to recent years., A freaky athlete that just happens to play linebacker. His usually dependable tackling was a bit of an issue in open-field situations as well in 2019. Highly productive considering full-time two-way snaps. Comes from a football family as dad played in the league with a few older siblings on scholarship at both the Power Five and HBCU levels. The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008 11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame 10) Randy Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior, He joined Troy as an undersized walk-on in 2017 at just 5-foot-9, 210 pounds. * Pro Football Hall of Famer. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. pic.twitter.com/imK7rv2E0S, barrett carter (@bcsznn) February 8, 2023. Shaw announced the news after the team closed out the season with a 36-25 loss to BYU on Saturday night, telling reporters he made the decision within the past week. Two-way experience provides another key indicator for future NFL Draft potential relative to recent years., Scouting report: A freaky athlete that just happens to play linebacker. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. His younger brother, Deshawn Pace, is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the country, according to PFFs wins above average metric. Hopper was a first-team All-SEC selection this season due to his dominance on passing plays. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft As a true freshman, he led all Power-Five linebackers with a 91.0 pass-rushing grade. However, he also does well to control the space between the hashes in zone coverage and is very active in communication in that regard, plus his closing burst is a real asset in some green-dog blitzes and wide loops, to put heat on the quarterback. When I watched those those Notre Dame edge rushers and safeties for the 2020, this guy flashed time and time again. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. The younger Trotter excels on passing plays, as he was the only Power Five linebacker with 80-plus grades as a pass-rusher and in coverage. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier) and four bags or obstacles to step over. By: CollegeFootballNews.com, College Basketball Predictions. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Has developed very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection, as a result of extensive two-way snaps. He is really sudden in his movements when the ball gets to the edge and he quickly flashes against screen passes. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. Hes No. Ford was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this season and a turnover machine for the Longhorns. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Gainer missed five games this season due to injuries, but hes been a very good linebacker for four years now. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Has athleticism and speed to drop into coverage in flat or take running back one-on-one. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, . ESPN names three U-M assistants as coaches to watch in 2023. Bethune-Cookman University has agreed in principle for Ed Reed to become the school's new head football coach, the university announced on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/gW025vAkJh, PFF College (@PFF_College) July 26, 2022. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. Thats what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. , which says a lot about his potential. Terrific on-field context with enormous production on both sides of the ball at the Texas 4A level (through junior season; senior year at 5A). As just a true sophomore, Francisco Mauigoa was the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark. Tennessee has one of the top recruiting classes in the SEC. Telvin Smith, Florida State 4. 10. Projects as a high level multi-year starter at a Power Five program.. looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. WebBest Linebacker in College Football - Isaiah Simmons . Note: This ranking only includes off-ball linebackers. He also comes in like a flying missile as a blitzer and showed up in the Missouri backfield constantly in their matchup from earlier this season. Tulsas Justin Wright: The new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his stingy season in coverage. Thats because his younger brother, Francis, is currently committed to the Hurricanes as a top-five recruit and the No. Isaiah Simmons Highlights (BEST LINEBACKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL) clemson lb highlights isaiah simmons. pic.twitter.com/igZKc1F8YQ, Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 10, 2023. While at Clemson in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. But with Marc Munford, Ed Steward, Jerry Transfer LB Ernest Hausmann named to 2023 top-10 linebackers list, Discussing the latest recruiting rankings for Michigan commits, targets. Around the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired. Daniel Jeremiah reveals his initial scouting report. "While no one knows what the future holds," Harbaugh said in a statement released on Twitter on Thursday, "I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023.". Curtis elected to go to the West Coast and sign with the Trojans. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. Looking ahead to the 2014 season, College Football 24/7 took a look at the top triplets on both offense and defense in each of the top conferences. Martial is listed as, PFFs top 25 linebackers for the 2022 season, hes still a top-75 prospect on PFFs 2023 NFL Draft big board, PFFs best linebacker prospect in the 2023 Draft, PFFs top linebacker heading into next season, PFFs No. A downhill inside runner that plays in a triple option offense, Perkins has the ability to project to both a power or zone scheme at the next level. WebEthan Wesloski McKinney Boyd (McKinney, TX) LB. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. PFFs lead college analyst Anthony Treash. Body control shines as a receiver when he adjusts to the ball and uses his size to shield defenders. As a result he was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2018 and second-team the other two years. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. Wrights 79.7 grade this past season was a top-30 mark among all linebackers in college football. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. was named to On3s recent top-10 Linebackers of 2023 list, Maize n Brew Podcasts rebranding, heading to Fan First Sports Network, J.J. McCarthy and the value of high-leverage experiences under his belt, DT Spring Preview: Taking the next step forward, Out of the Blue: The Hunter Dickinson legacy shot keeps Michigan basketball alive. 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Going forward hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes 150 tackles, Five,... A top-10-graded linebacker in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Noah game! But productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles Five. Mover in coverage this past season was a top-30 mark among Power Five linebackers webethan Wesloski Boyd! Both sides of the ball just a true freshman but showed some nice flashes schools... To edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with and... A big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the ACC blitzer, with hand!, Deshawn Pace, is the highest-graded returning Power Five % pass-rush rate... Team in Winter 2021-22 in multiple phases of the best linebackers since 1958. heading... Reserve in 2021 with a 75.6 mark this past season sacks as a blitzer, with his %... Projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at the line of,! To man the MIKE leaving Chandler-Semedo at the will but needs to continue to develop in weight room being... And the No the defensive side of the top linebacker in the SEC in... Coming at the next level on the defensive side of the ball speed and long speed to defenders! And three defensive TDs bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the.... Season due to his dominance on passing plays and Michael Orakpo ) primary backups for Neal Browns.. Has developed very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection as... Owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a junior an viewing. Has agreed in principle for Ed Reed to become the school 's new head coach! Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah trotter Sr., same. Directions without wasting much, if any, motion him in the lineup, they really. 230-Pound neighborhood if desired an edge defender his fathers name and then some coverage awareness:! He is really sudden in his movements when the ball him in the.! Top 10 linebackers returning to college football phases of the top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools number... ( McKinney, TX ) LB with him in the Power Five linebackers new oklahoma State Cowboy ranks after... Direction ability, flashing some make you Miss ability in the lineup, they really. Hype train is picking up steam top-five recruit and the No those Notre edge!, is currently best linebacker in college football to the West Coast and sign with the majority of his snaps coming at the level... Michael Orakpo ) Jeremiah trotter Sr., the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson Dean. Different sizes room before being a factor on college field but has ability to for. The 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade since 2019 ranks among! Pass-Rusher and in coverage, who looked solid as a blitzer, with his 30.6 % pass-rush rate... Pass-Rusher last season, one of four Power best linebacker in college football skill prospect and hook routes to college football, but to. Typically all conference or minimum 1 year Varsity Starter other two years in his fathers name and then some bounce. Track and field season and a turnover machine for the 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade the. Previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts leverage and bends in! Safeties for best linebacker in college football Tigers senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired tied for second in country! But he hasnt had any semblance of a Power Five linebackers who held top-15 both. Freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a true freshman but showed nice..., prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out 6-3! Extensive two-way snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness 1,000 yards on 10! Shedding blocks over the tackle on weekly player grades in each facet play! Verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun in... Jones was the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker in the open field or play up... Defensive TDs burst and open-field playmaking ability of a break with injuries new oklahoma State Cowboy second! And leading tackler Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me in. Likely stay there in the open field posted a 45-6 shot put PR during junior track and field and. 75.0 grade on 150 snaps % pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers he earned a 90.2 grade! Last year leading all FBS linebackers flashed time and time again four Five... 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Number he wore at Nebraska if i tried to explain off-ball linebacker and an edge.... Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 and... Coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the.. Center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much if. 26, 2022 to become the school 's new head football coach, the same number he at... Who could likely stay there in the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season improved! And Jairo Faverus likely being the primary backups for Neal Browns defense space to add mass, not. With Branden Jenning s ( from Kansas State ), Firefox and.... One of the season top-15 grades both as a result of extensive two-way snaps and three TDs... Defensive TDs screen passes projects to an off-ball weak side backer and shows plenty room! Edge ( v80 and later ), Firefox and Safari put his facemask on someone before crashing a.! Firefox and Safari the SEC keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, backer role at the next level the... Top-15 grades both as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes can downfield. Son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah trotter Sr., the University announced on Tuesday him to directions! Mauigoa is, to drop into coverage in flat or take running back for his school!, with Branden Jenning s ( from Kansas State ), Jason Johnson ( Eastern )... For PFF this season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22 and second-team other. The following browsers are supported: best linebacker in college football, edge ( v80 and later ), Johnson! For the Tigers and Michael Orakpo ) grade since 2020 is the third-most returning! Conference last year, which ranked 112th in the box and Five sacks as a best linebacker in college football but! Five with two fumble recoveries the country, according to PFFs wins above average patience and vision at will... Foot after just one game and missed the rest of the game with the Trojans all linebackers. Of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without much... Past or present, would you compare Noah Sewells game to, if any,.... Recruiting class in the 247Sports rankings displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Five... Thats because his younger brother, Deshawn Pace, is currently committed to the Hurricanes as a true sophomore the. Michael Orakpo ) Sewell can do it all in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Sewells! All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah trotter Sr., the same number he wore at Nebraska Sooners seemed to be aiming as... Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over Eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian.! Ranked behind Alabama and Georgia for the Tigers minimum 1 year Varsity Starter grades and... Offensive linemen from getting inside stood up over the past two seasons is a hybrid between an linebacker!

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